Metabolically healthy obesity in adults with X-linked hypophosphatemia

X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) is characterized by increased concentrations of circulating fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) resulting in phosphate wasting, hypophosphatemia, atypical growth plate and bone matrix mineralization. Epidemiologic studies suggest a relationship between FGF-23, obesity, and metabolic dysfunction. The prevalence of overweight and obesity is high in children with XLH. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of obesity and metabolic complications in adults with XLH.

We conducted a prospective cohort study in adult XLH patients from a single tertiary referral center. The proportion of patients with a BMI >25 kg/m2 was the main outcome measure. Body fat mass percentage (FM%) and adipose tissue surfaces were secondary outcome measures. Glucose homeostasis (plasma glucose and insulin concentrations after fasting and 2 hours after an oral glucose tolerance test) was explored in a subgroup of patients and compared with age-, sex-, and BMI-matched healthy controls.

Among 113 evaluated patients, 85 (75%) were female and 110 (97%) carried a PHEX mutation. Sixty-three (56%) patients were overweight or obese, with a median BMI of 25.3 [IQR, 22.7; 29.2] kg/m2. BMI was correlated with FM%, abdominal and thigh subcutaneous and intra-abdominal adipose tissue surfaces. The prevalence of impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance, and diabetes was not different between XLH patients and matched controls.

The prevalence of overweight and obesity is high among XLH patients and is associated with excess fat mass. However, the prevalence of glucose homeostasis abnormalities is not increased in patients compared to healthy controls, suggesting that metabolically healthy overweight or obesity predominates.